The Sun. — London, England, 1838-09-27 00:00:00

PUBLIC DINNER To CAPTAIN BENNETT, R. N., AT BOULOGNE. sin olonday last Captainßenrett, the i,)tteSq. Ade laide steamer, was entertained at a publio stints-sr in Bou logne, foo the purpose of presenting stnt Gallant Officer with a piece of Plate, purchased by the Ladies and Gentlemen who had been passengers on hoard the Qgee)-2. Adelaide on the night of the 21st August last, On that occasion it cam e on to blow a tremendous hurricane, which compelled all the other steam-boats to put back into 111arg-ate Roads, or the Downs, while Captain Bennett succeeded in bringing hhithe Queen Adelaide into the port of Boulogne, and landing s p assengers in safety, skill To mark th e i r a p pro b at i on o f and exertions, a large suet was subscrib e d, w ith 'which a magnificent Silver Cup and Cover was purchased. The dinne r took place in the large room of the Pavilion Hotel, and was attended by many of the i n fl uen ti a l i n h a bi tants o f Boulogn e , and a number of commercial and other gentlemen from London who had come over for that purpose. The o chair w as taken by HENRY WOOD, Esq., and at seven 'clock the company sat down t o a very sumptuous di nner, cem Plising every delicacy of the se as o n , an d an abundance 1 of Cla ret, Charranmpagne, Burg undy, and other wines• The a _ gements were excellent, and reflected much . credit upon the proprietor of the establishment. ! lite': dinner, which it had been previously arranged su eules he followed by a ball a-la-mode de Francaise, The CHAIRMAN rose and said that he was now about to give them a toast which he was satisfied would he drank j'with enthusiasm by every gentleman present—" Her Ma isty the Queen of England, and may she reign long in the affections of her people." Three times three, and all the honours. Air, " God save the Queen." RThe CHAIRMAN said his next toast would be, " The oyal Families of England and France, and everlasting anion between the two countries."—(Cheers.) The amity of tw o such powerful dates could not fail to be productive of the most beneficial results. It would tend to promote the prosperity of both courstries—to the blings of com merce and civilization, and diffuse extend peace and ess Isar ctony tidroughout all th e wor ld. Tae toast was drank with great enthusiasm. A The CHAIRMAN then proposed " Prosperity to the "" .r nty and Navy." It was a toast which was dear to most of the gentlemen present, and nothing he could say wools', add to the merits and efficient services of these hrancl of th e public service. ---(Cheers.) He was graiified to ies see ar ound th e i r festive board many gentlemen who had distin guished themselves afloat and ashore, coming forward to testif y by their presence their estimation of the serv i ces o f (He Gallant Friend on hi s r i g ht—C a pt a i n B ennett.— ‘s l ear, and c giv ethe beers.) Without further preface, he s h ou ld Air; " The A rmy an d N avy. " — Th ree t i mes three. s :ss" Rule B r i tannia. " CHAIR MAN —Gentlemen, I am now about to call Your attention specially to the subject of our meeting this day.l ost . 'You are all perhaps aware that on the 21st August ;solt blew a tremendous hurricane, and many of you are well aware that on that day the Queen Adelaide was o nlY boat t h at entered the harbour of Boulogne.— e h ac ar , hear.) All the others were compelled to put taka e nd were driv en i nto w h atever other ports they could sssPshelter in. M y G a ll ant Friend on my right, Captain ,3,?tt, comm an d e d the Queen Adelaide on that occasion sis,O c ets)—a n d acted as he has always done, in a man &oat4%4lly satisfa c t ory to her owners and to the grati and delight of every passenger on board, A, "ding them in safety.--(Hear, and much cheering.) i ia li t oin s g a e v e : tl • ll lan he is beloved and respected by all who t he ee honour of knowing Lim—and, as the Corn- Adelaide, he happily combines the suaviler in he moot with the fortiter in re, and, while in smooth water ger 8 all gaiety and attention to the comforts of his passen ex 8 . When danger threatens, his coolness, judgment, and o 3e l 7rienee, in which no man is superior to him, are most on 1 , 41 Y and efficiently exerted, as all who were on board For hi the 21st A ugust will readily testify.—(Great cheeri ng .) ability and dis cre ti on on that occasion I hav e now hi ps e w .lnour, in th e name of the subscribers, to present to t his mag n ifi cent s il ver C up and Cover, which is not the that has been presented to him, but one out o f many, Z i ld all w ill acknowledge that th e y h ave b een j ust l y conferred t ",1 ) ° 1 him. Oth er C apta i ns may have had cups presented th em by the Chamber of Commerce, or the contributions af°f th eir private friends, but this has been the spontaneous t of strangers ' who were passengers on b oar d hi s vesse l , ) ) ;''''. ll o have - done it with the greatest satisfa c ti on . I trust )4.i will k eep this Cup, and transmit it as an heir-boon to 3 children, when he has them—(A laugh)— an d th at he su a- y l ong li v e to enjoy s uc h e elll of his friends, is, I am satisfied, the fervent wish tj:- present . — (Vehetnent cheering.) It may not be ~neown to some of the gentlemen present, that Captain )1134:nett has been in the service of the East India Corn srsty, and that to him was entrusted the command of the Lear .) earn- vessel that was ever sent out to India.—(Hear, resp ect Ile has returned home after receiving tributes of pas sed frorn every State and country through which he is loved and respected by all who know him, burn ne ee l great pleasure in proposing to you, in a tull a tl n ss pr i ir t li r c h t , ehe health of Captain Bennett. (Three times , and great cheering.). See the conquering hero comes." On Cup, which had been a short time prevfously placed ej';?o table in front of the Chairman, was then presented 'inn to Captain Bennett. The pattern is extremely 'gam and unique —the stern and border being decorated ssi t h 1,• wreath of laurel and vine leaves and nautical de pe.es, in c h ase d s il ver—the handles are each formed of a 8 4 4 1 • 1 1 1. el . dolphi ns entw i ne d . On the top of the cover is a feel," guide leanin g on an anchor, with the cable coiled at his On one s id e i s a representation of the Queen Ade . ste amboat in relief, and on the o th er an appropriate 8 1 er tP .. ti_on, of ° uuls was manufactured by Robertson and Brown, koetseadenhall-street, London, and its appearance does l'ali ty credit to the skill of the manufacturers and the libe- Af t ( e ef the parties by whom it was presented. crie r ' t he Cup, filled with Burgundy, had made the cir co' the table, loma,Pta,in .BENNETT, R N., rose, and was received with was et'lln reiterated cheering. The Gallant Captain, who ° Ter t v i l t de ntlY much affected, observed that all he could tor ami 08 e who had joined in paying him so flattering . a Ates so te ent, eithe r by honouring the meeting with their /v as bi e ' ° r by contributing to that splendid piece of plate,__ e te tret ,s sincere and heartfelt thanks.—(Hear, hear.) H _ many L ecl that the shortness of the notice had prevented gentlemen from being present, and he could t DO rtet t o 14'11011, ha Make his acknowledgments to the ladies, many of L. 41 contributed largely to the purchase of thecup. profo-e"lndness he should ever remember with the most gtaseoed gratitude and respect, for it had been deeply ens ) 1 144Y thatuPtbon the tablets of his memory.. He could with truth bee ad e honour conferred upon him was the greatest .o hi s received, and such as the small service it had ' S Rood fortun e to perform could never have merited. C el t is a s ( l l • (l° ,ne no more than any British sailor would have do t i l l s atY to do, if placed in similar circumstances -114.01_ , td e f o i lst he could ' for the benefit of his fellow-cal ls Fo s t eta:ow-subjects, and when once he had conquered Ivit h ti; "° make him his friend.—(Cheers.) As connected aYssem Present suWeets, he would beg to refer to the ti ti n oss d so °Jovv,, promotion.in the Navy.—( Hear, hear.) It was t g e , ter that it required occasions like the present, ° 'As s ; e cs and honourable hearts like those around him, :d j ri ‘a that promotion. Meetings like the . present, i ve eiasi ° L tir s such as lead been conferred on him that n -° 4 4 1 %, "wever unworthy of them, would tend much es% ) I. .sve th e si o on o , character and conduct of British sailors, by In coaclu thec.he WO:lisp:tit of emulation among them. aka for be g to tender them his sincere and he_artf , elt . s t° ' and s ti le very flittering compliment they had paid rli and the cordial manner in which his health had been C Cheers.) t od ,}l,AsialasiN begged to call their attention to another as'V"ttlecht.the town of Boulogne was somewhat inte ahl4ll th at 'lnc ago the merchantsof London expressed si Boulogne boat carrying merchsndize between London vial w, s should be put upon the station, and applica lisl eon) made its the first instance to the Commer- N'ats o P ri atl Y• One of the Directors of the General Steam t,' l 'eeti an . Comp :my came to Boulogne, and called d kto w hich he partly promised,. and . pari t ly ,le de o c x l p it e se ri. :qesit -4 a boat f Itnit 11 .4 f or that Purpose, stating that if . 1 that°Und to Pay, the boat would he continued, and s kl ' e en 4 d & h.e would he taken off. The proprietors of the got tit elaide, who placed her upon the station on the thee.wever, made no such stipulation ;they had r th e y t iter i t r , (1 upon the result of the experiment, , eb Y Mat 0!-11(1 turn out a gain or a loss, and tney . had he se 11046. erially benefited the public and the inhabitants tZulouen renteieu.—rin(ga:er and cheers.) Evidence of that might gnerilhe. increased numbe r of persons who had visitedre i . present summer, in consequence f g i 'Red 1 5 " of the fares —those boats which ordinarily eh S ' and 10s. running at ss. and S3s. whenever the I ,st off sstkuelaide started, for the avowed. purpose of driving tsseersiogneu.o str,ation, to the serious injury of the town . of 4 ,, est of On these orounds he thought it was the in tillAnest the inhabitants and of the public generally to haleea gle n e Queen Adelaide and to induce others to do th orn ' jllsonel cries of "We will.") He could as at before the first of April next, fresh boats, t ile t ,,, ° °. the most improved principles, would be put upon , Lati on R eek or so as to enabl e them to run three times a ",erY day if necessary. The fares by these boats jl, c eea b e I°Tiv, because the enormous expenditure oeca barged by a body of directors, chairmen, secretaries, trea- A 4 ette f `'` l co Sce., would be saved.—(Loud cheering.) With il " d d eirtio e c e ,' ln gs he would give tem success to the Queen d ew it, a nd her enterprising proprietors, and he would la Slo t tc. eedom of the seas, freedom of commerce, and -11 811S er lt il all monopoly e.nd combination.—(Great and cheering.) Health 'te *flu'een Adelaide." , mil rtio!,l*esox hoped the company would excuse S hadi come to n perfect stranger o bt ru di n g Ik the Chairman on their iSir a singli i moment. He vr his last i cas l, an d h e was rem inded also that the ladies Vi. Were waiting in an adjoining room to commence GI ball, and that would be with trim sufficient &Orfila for oc'eupy_ ink their attention but for a very short period. tie had been the greater part of his life etinOected With the naval profession, and he felt a vleep sympathy with all those whose avocations rei,dered them familiar with danger on the mighty deep. They had very justly given Captain Ben. nett great praise for his skill anti intrepidity in bring. ing the Queen Adelaide into the port of Boulogne, when not another vessel would attempt it—it might perhaps be said by envious persons that it was a mere act of chance, but he would venture to say that there was not a Captain then navigatin g the sea, who would not have been very proud to have brought his ship into port and landed his passengers safely.—(Hear, hear.) He fully concurred in the observations that had been made by the Chairman, relative to the galbrit conduct of Captain Bennett cn that occasion, and if he had never been employed in navigating the Indian and Chinese seas, his skill during the terrific hurricane of the 21st August would have satisfied them that he was a gentleman of first-rate professional skill and experience.—( Hear, hear.) Many of the gentlemen pre sent were aware that during the last year two vessels, one of them an East Indiaman, had been wrecked on the coast of Boulogne, the other had been lost in the very hurriCane which Captain Bennett had weathered. When he called to mind the circumstances under which that disaster had occurred, he could not help reflecting that although one might have a good ship and a good captain, they amounted to nothing without a good crew.—(Hear.) However skilful the general might be, and however wise and prudent his plans, if he had not an army, cool, brave, and disciplined, his defeat was inevitable.—(Hear.) Had it not been for the crew of the Queen Adelaide, and the extraordinary exertions made by them, the vessel would never have been brought into port ; and though he was ready to admit the ability and skill of French sailors, he firmly believed that if the sloop which went to pieces on tlie pier had been manned by a similar crew of English sailors, she would have escaped destruction. He begged to apologize for detaining them so long, and in conclusion he would give them " The Health of the Officers and Crew of the Queen Adelaide."—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Ladies," which was drank with three times three. Mr. KNIGHT, after eulogizing the able manner in which he had discharged his official duties, gave " Our worthy Chairman."—(Three times three.) Mr. WOOD returned thanks in an appropriate manner. About ten o'clock the ladies begani to arrive in consi derable numbers, and were joined by the gentlemen who had been present at the dinner ; dancing immediately com menced, and was kept up with great spirit and animation till an advanced hour of the morning. There was an excellent quadrille band in attendance, and refreshments, including ices, fruit, Champagne, &c., were supplied in great profusion. All parties appeared to be highly delighted and gratified with the festivities of the evening. UNITED PARISHIONERS' SOCIETY OF SAINT GEORGE THE MARTYR, SOUTHWARK. On Monday the seventh anniversary of this Society was ce lebrated by a di►,ner at the Bridge House Hotel, Southwark. The company was numerous and highly respectable. Mr. George Giliham in the chair. On the right of the Chairman was D. W. Harvey, Esq., M. P. ; and on his left, Mr. Charles Anderson, the founder of the Association. On the cloth being removed, The CHAIRMAN gave " The Queen—may she live long to enjoy the hearts and love of her people." Drunk with every demonstration of the most fervent loyalty. " God save the Queen" was sung by Mr. Sinclair, the company joining in the chorus. The CHAIRMAN next gave " The People—the only source of legitimate power." Drunk with the greatest applause. The CHAIRMAN, after eulogizing the Society, gave " Suc cess to the United Parishioners' Society of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, and health and happiness to its founder, Mr. Charles Anderson." Mr. ANDERSON, in retuning thanks, said—Eight years back the parish was one of the worst governed in the metropolis. By the establishment of that Society, before the introduction of the New Poor Law, it became one of the best governed. When the Society was established, the parish had a debt of 4,0001., and the poor-rate was six shillings in the pound ; the Society, before the New Poor Law was introduced, had not only paid off the debt of 4,0001., but had 2,0001. in hand ; and had reduced the rate from six shillings to three shillings. The New Poor Law had done considerable harm after its introduc tion, but the parish had since returned good guardians, by whom its evil tendency was counteracted. The Society took up the New Poor Law in the spirit of the Act of Elizabeth, and in that way saved the parish from its evil effects. There was no power now in the parish that could oppose their efforts —their cause was founded in virtue—that of their opponents in corruption, and their virtuous cause had completely tri umphed.—( Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN next gave the worthy, independent, liberal patriot, Mr. John Day, and the Secretary of the Society, Mr. Mathews. Mr. DAY, in returning thanks, congratulated the Society on the victory they had gained over their enemies by reason : they permitted no abuse, and by that means reduced the rate one-half; but when they found the regulations of the Poor Law Commissioners calculated to oppress the poor, they op posed them, and protected the poor from their operation. They refused to make prisoners of the poor on Sundays ; on this they had a fight with the Commissionek, who at length gave way, and now the poor all over the kregdom were al lowed to go out on Sundays. The Guardians also regulated the diet, and in cases, where necessary, gave out-door relief. The deaths in the year, in their workhouse, under Tory Guar dians enforcing the Commissioners' dietary, were 163 ; the deaths in the year of the parishioners' dietary were 103. No inquiry was made into the cause of this increase of deaths, and the murders in the country parishes under the Commissioners' dietary went on as heretofore.—( Hear, hear.) Previous to the introduction of the New Poor Law, the parish was in a pretty good condition, but the New Law had injured instead of benefiting them. He denounced the New Poor Law as one of the most oppressive measures that had ever passed the Le gislature. In proportion as that Law bad been carried into operation the rates had risen, but in proportion as the Act had been opposed so the rates had fallen. This was not a political meeting ; but he was confident they would all hear Mr. Harvey in explanation of his present situation under Government. He had heard it surmised that they were to be used as a sort of pocket Government borough, the vote of which was to be used as a Treasury vote. He had had no communication with Mr. Harvey on this subject, but he had too good an opinion of him to believe he would so serve them.—(Cheers.) He did not blame Mr. Harvey for having taken the situation. He had not only served their borough, but had for 20 years disinterestedly served the country, and he believed had spent a fortune in so doing.—(Cheers.) He ( Mr. Day) believed that but for his intelligence, determined independence, and steady integrity, he would have been in office long ago, either under the Whigs or Tories, because either party would have been happy to have his talents in their cause. He believed that no man like Mr. Harvey could be of much service to either party, because ho would hold fast his integrity, and stick to the cause of the people.—( Loud cheers.) The CHAIRMAN, after reading a letter from Mr. Humphery, from Brighton, apologizing for his absence, said—Mr. Hum phery had promised to attend, and ought to have fulfilled his promise. He wondered how Mr. Humphery would have fe.lt if, after promising him their votes, they had sent him a letter apologising for not doing so.—(A laugh.) However, it was his duty to give the next toast, and, although he should have wished to have left Mr. Humphery's name out. yet be was compelled to propose the " Healths of John Hum phery and Daniel Whittle Harvey, Esqe." lie had known Mr. Harvey long, and thought no man of more sound political principles had ever appeared in this country. Ile had served his country and his constituents long, and he (the Chairman) thought it his ( Mr. Harvey's) duty to accept office if it would enable him to be more useful.—( Hear.) He would, therefore, propose the healths of Mr. John Humphery and Mr. Daniel Whittle Harvey. The toast was drunk amid great cheering. Mr. D. W. HARVEY then rose, and was received with the most enthusiastic and deafening applause. He said—Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, grateful as it is to me at all times to meet any portion of my constituents, who have conferred upon me an honour to which no man in the House of Com mons has aught to compare, that feeling is greatly heightened upon the present occasion by the circumstances under which I appear before you; aed the only difficulty that pi-essed upon my mind es to the course I should pursue, has been removed by the well-timed sentiments of our friend Mr. Day ; because, though he has well defined the immediate objects of this meet ing to be in celebration of those useful reforms which you have achieved, and of which you have been the chief instruments, in the important parish of St. George, yet it is impossible that reform in so extensive a district can be limited to mere paro chial objects, but that its example and its influence must be fol. hya cd herever liberty and humanity are respected.—( Hear.) I feel, therefore, that I shall not be under any restraint in the ex pression of any sentiment, either as it regards my own political and personal position, or the political prospects and state of the country.—( Hear, hear.) And as regards myself—which I am th., more anxious to touch on in the first instance, because it is of so little moment—l cannot subscribe to the over charitable sentiments of my friend Mr. Anderson, and our excellent friend the Chairman : that, because I may have sacrificed largely in the cause of the public—though I tray be, and have been for years, writhing under the influence of indiscreet political expenditure, that therefore I should be justified in taking a situation under any Government or from any party. I beg leave to repudiate that sentiment altogether.—( Cheers.) Gentlemen, age is no apology for apostacy.—( Hear, hear.) I would far rather terminate my bring as an impoverished patriot than be dependent upon any concession f rom t h e l ea d er o f any f act i on i n t h e S tate, h owe v e r :t might con t r ib ute i n a pecun i ary sense to my com f or t s .— (Cheers.) Gentlem en , I have accepted an office, but I have taken no salary. It is for me in a few words to state to you why I have not so done; and though I cannot suppose, after THE StIST, LONDON, TEttrRSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1838. the flattering testimony of your kindness, both of personal attachthent and pBlitital synepathk, that I can extort front yeti zlny stronger expression of generous feeling,Yedt, is feel p e r sua d e d t h at t h e mo tives by which I have b een ac tuated will greatly strengthen and perpetuate your est eem. Filed of all, my friends, the situation "men A LA la accepted notol"Hct.=( Hear; hear.) It IF! an administrative ofileb ; not, indOed ) ettiblaioneil by any high fiddle ) nor titer paid by a large salary ) or strengthened by patronage, yet it is att office that has grown dut of a necessity which the public hat long felt.—(ilear. ) Many attempts have been made in past Sessions to legislate upon an inconvenience which Was hourly becorain greater, till at i length it b e c ame a l mo s t nsu&rable.—( Hear, near.) The 13111, imperfect as it is, and imperfect as it Will be found for it does not belong to mir It to produce anything that even approaches to perfection—( Laughter)—could only be i ar ried out by efficient officers. The appointments of those officers must be vested somewhere. They could not be scrambled for in the House of Commons; and I may say, from the arduous nature of the duties, as well as the unostentatious position in which they are performed, that it was not likely any aristocra tic cousins would hare been candidates for them.—( Laugh.. ter.) If there had been, I greatly doubt whether it would have been thrown in any way.—(Laughter and cheers.) But, Gentlemen, the Houses of Parliament placed the ap pointment of the officers in the hands of the Secretary o f e t S h t ea appointed,t Duke for u ke tohf my e a nam ndosHomeacto office ffie Wellington,dDcu variance,i whatevereces t p fp a eocrr permanent. nip m muwaula e anedbyn n ryi eeti displace be the pct r uel hoarr em t peppefeeeees emoluments, Sirinssno time tlenouc.morßyleffi eioa b tl bellthetetee created whose byr nps a coActr nhre O perel rt:t n ri :en c oor most f n e io, o i ar P t er i h i e i i s a n ain g l pe a e b n m r u tm t ; f I e servant of the public, and not the servant of any Government whatever.—( Cheers.) But, Gentlemen, that the acceptance of this office might not expose me to any miseonstructien as to the motive by which I was influenced, or the oblig e _ tions which it might be presumed to confer, I, from the beginning, and before the beginning, expressly stipu lated for the unfettered exercise of my judgment_ the expression of my opinions publicly—and recording them by my votes in Parliament with the same freedom and with the same firmness as I heve hitherto done.--( Loud cheers.) But, Gentlemen, I should be doing great injustice to Lord John Russell, the only Minister with whom I have had any confer ence on this subject, if 1 did not thus publicly state that he was as ready to repudiate all political obligations or de pendence as I was, for my own protection, to enforce it.—( Hear, hear.) He at once said.—" It is not an office of a description to impose political obligations; it is not an office the acceptance of which is connected with political engagements, either as a reward for past adherence, or as the condition of future support."—( Hear, hear.) I think, Gentlemen, you who have watched my con duct, will admit that, as far as what I have hitherto said and done, the Government i 3 not under any very great obligations to me.—(Laughter.) What I have been I am ; what lam I shall remain.—( Immense cheering.) At the same time, allow me to say that I repudiate entirely the vulgar notion, which has no advocates, I am sure, in this room, or in this enlightened borough, that a man forfeits his political inde pendence the moment he assumes the robe of power. Hear, hear.) Quite the reverse. I cannot consider any honour which so well deserves the pure ambition of a public man—l cannot consider any distinction which could be so gratifying to his constituents as to find an indivi dual, their representative, placed in a responsible situation in the Government—not to serve his own purposes, but that he may the more efficiently carry out the great objects of reform.— ( Hear, hear.) I can say with perfect truth, that if the present Government had, or were to offer me the proudest position that could be conferred, however splendid its emoluments, or alluring its patronage, I would not accept it but u p on the full understanding that there should be an essential change in their policy.—( Cheers.) I should like to know the mean ing of the common impression ( I wish to God there was not so strong a reason for it) of a family government made up of aristocratic Whig families and kindred alliances. Do not the people desire that the basis of the Government should be enlarged—that the enlightened and popular advocates of Re form should be engrafted on the Government—that we should have in power men whose past lives would be a security for the realization of our expectations ?—( Hear, bear.) I admit, my friends, that examples are of a very sorrowful kind in this re. spect ; and, instead of cur censuring some men in the present Government for not going sufficiently far in the cause of Re form, we ought to censure some who are now in the Cabinet for having retreated from it.--( Hear, hear.) I remember the time well when the present Lord Melbourne (as Mr. William Lamb), when the present Lord Palmerston, and the present Lord Glenelg (as Mr. Charles Grant) in the House of Com mons, were all the decided enemies of Parliamentary Reform. --( Hear, hear.) They were the adherents of the Canning party. Look at the strides they have made in the cause of re form. They may not have gone so far as we could have wished, but then they did not set cut where we began.—( Hear, hear.) But are there no men in the Cabinet whom you and I have been accustomed to look up to, and run after to the Crown and Anchor, and other public places, where they have zealously advocated the most extended system of Parliamentary Reform—even to the adoption of Universal Suffrage, Annual Parliaments, and Vote by Ballot—at the same time denouncing all other plans as mere mockery?—(Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") Is there no man in the Cabinet who has been the decided advocate, when out of office, of free trade of every description—the denouncer of the Corn-laws—who has pub lished speeches upon political economy, in which the cruel inequality of our taxation was enforced with eloquence and power, and insisting that if he were in power fiscal equality should he his first and darling object ? Where do you find these men ?—( Cries of " Hear, hear.") Have they not run from the standard of reform, and become the tame and silent supporters of every measure which is execrable for its temporizing character? —( Shame, shame.) But it is not very probable that persons who hold the political sentiments I do will be allowed to take any public situation in which they can be usefully employed, because the present state of parties forbids the experiment ; and, before I proceed to make a few remarks upon the state of parties, and our national prospects, I would recur to the precise rosition in which !stand. The situation which I have accepted, as I said before, is not of a political nature, nor is it a sinecure in its duties. You have men who receive large salaries and do nothing for them—you have men with ample salaries who do little more; but I will say, from my experi ence of the last six weeks, that if every man in office has to do as much as I have had to do and am cluing there is a great mis take as to the nature of the duties and the labours imposed on public men. With your permission I will explain to you very briefly the nature of my duties, which you will quickly perceive are neither few nor unimportant; indeed, I feel the responsibility to be great. Within the last three week s there have been at my office in Adam-street upwards of six thousand persons applying to be appointed as watermen, conductors, or drivers. They have taken away six thou sand certificates, which they must get signed by at least two rate payers. These 6,000 certificates, so signed by two persons, I have to examine in detail. Many of them are so ir regular, that I have been compelled to refer back at least one thousand. I have further to determine on the fitness of the recommendations, and when I add to this that I have received from the Police Offices of this metropolis the names of upwards of 800 persons, who, during the last few months have been convicted of various offences under the Hackney Carriages Acts, all of whom it will be my duty to see, each in his turn, and hear from him the grounds upon which he claims to he employed, and that when I hare decided upon these 6,000 applications, I have to sign their licenses—l think lam opening to you the nature of an occupation which at once explains why it is that no Whig stripling has coveted the office, or why it is not to be called a sinecure.—( Hear, hear, and laughter.) But, Gentlemen, notwithstanding such is the nature of the duties and the re sponsibility that belongs to their fit discharge, I ant abun dantly content to give to the country, as I have dose for the last six weeks, and up to the meeting of Parliament, my services gra tuitously, and I will tell you why. Doubts exist in the minds of lawyers as to the effect of my accepting this place upon my seat in the House of Commons. I will touch no abstract or difficult points of law, but will state to you what is the purport of the Act of Parliament that gives rise to doubt. By the statute of Anne it is enacted, that all new offices umler the Crown of profit or emolument hereafter to be created —that is, at the time the Aet was passed, in the year 1705—the party accepting such office shall be disqualified from sitting in Parliament. Now the question which presents itself is this, not whether my seat is vacated, as is the case when a man ac cepts an office which existed prior to the statute of Anne, because that's an old office, and only vacates the seat, but does not render the party who accepts the office ine ligible—he may come hack to his constituents to be dealt with as they in theirjudgment think fit; but the Act of Ann, for rea sons I shall not now enter upon, provided that whoever should accept an office of profit or emolument under the Crown here after to be created should be ineligible and incapacitated for a set in Parliament—the question therefore is, not whether my seat is vacated, but whether it disqualifies me from sitting in Parliament altogether ? Now, Gentlemen, I cannot more briefly or more decidedly convey to you my sentiments upon this subject, than by reading a passage from a letter I addressed to Lord John Russell. They arc these :—" I am decidedly averse to the receipt of any emolument or profit, should it be determined that the office of Registrar comes within the Act of Anne ; for though I fully appreciate your Lord ship's consideration in conferring upon me the appoint ment, and acceptable as I admit it to be, in more than one particular, yet I cannot reconcile the position and emoluments of the office to the being disqualified to represent the borough of Southwark, or any other large section of the people in Par liament."—( I mmense c h eer i ng. ) G ent l emen, i t then comes to this, an d I w i s h t h ose persons w h o arc so s ublimated in thei r p o li t i cs as to t h ink a man i s contam i na t e d the moment he i s pl ace d i n a s i tuat i on i n 'which he can be politi ca ll y use f u l , to o b serve, should they ever b e p l ace d in a position of temptation, that here is a roan, who does not deny the advantage to himself on personal grounds, foregoing a situation of some 7001. or 800/, or 1,0001. a-year, rather than forfeit the high distinction of being the representative of a great constituency.—( Loud cheering.) But, if it should be determined," I hear some of you say, and properly so, " that the accept ance of this office with emoluments does not disqualify you. and therefore does riot work as a vacation of your seat, do you mean then to h o ld the office, and the emolument, and the seat, without allowing y our const i tuents to express a ny opinion upon it ?" It is a natural question —a question you are right to put, and I am b.mnd to answer. I will tell 3ou in reply what I not only told Lord John Rus sell, but many friends in Parliament Stith whom I con ferred before I listened to this proposition, that even if it should turn out the acceptance of this office does not work a disqualification, and teat it is not in fact an office under the Crown, but one created by Act of Parliament, and one not, therefore, within the sphere of mischief contem- plated by the Act of Anne, I should scorn to hold my seat, its obligetions.—( Hear, hear.) I have more than once said psrhaps for five or six years of time, without eliciting the senti- in the House 'of Commons—what some persons may regard Mente OF iii,t , i6onstittients upon the course I had adopted.— as censurably audacious, and what in past times might be ( Vehement cheermg: 1 At preeent my strong impression inclines so, when I call to mind the great men who occupied scats to the beliefthat the office does not w0:,1'...° disqualification. But, in Parliament in bygone days—l have said, " Politicians are of course, as there is a penalty of 5001, for sitting or v5,.41.."' in now pigmies—we have no great men—we have small poll. -of Commons when a person is disqualified, you may tiC,11,.:, ~ the tic.,... ' -' them. but no commanding Statesmen."—(hear, hear.) •A there would always be men equal to emer easily suppose I shall be fortiiice; in that opinion by wiser heads It has been sae. There is not a truly great than my ern before I run the risk that may be consequent or, gencies ; but we don't fine -there is not a man in my accepting of the emoluments of the office. I shall, there- 'man in the House of Commons— . wetesmanslike view foie, as soon to the lawyers come to town, sub m it t h e case to t h e H ouse that takes a comprehens i ve an d a. , If there some four ur five of the most able and experienced of them, of the condition of this country.—( Hear, hear., •.t o a and by their opinions I shall be determined.—( Hear, hear.) I were, and if hi s vi ews were d eve loped night after nigh. 'rive not yet Made up My mind as to the course I shall pursue, series of practical schemes, he would enlist around him a po. presuming the office does not work as a disqualification. Id° not Utica! power—not one, perhaps, to be cast up in millions, but a know whether I shall at once accept the Chiltern Hundreds great intellectual power, that would at no distant time place him and throe* myself on My constituents, or retire altogether, or in authority.—( Hear.) Therefore, when I say the country is address My e nnsiiiiienti thrdugli the public press, calling on in deflcultics, it does not arise from the circumstance of their those who recorded their 'Votes foi me at the last election coolly being insurmountable, but because they are not comprehended, and deliberately to convey to me, undef their signattires, th e ir or they are not grasped with a Statesman's hold. What I desire. And why I hesitate is this. If there t',114. tt !tied- would advise the Government to do is what I advised the esi ine convened in the Town-hall, it would then be said, as it v'll lJeral party to do at the commencement of the Session. I said on a recent occasion, when there was some passing misun- ouet to tell it to you in justice to myself, and Idoit so the d gstandinn between me and a portion of my respectable con- more, becanee I find a talented man, the Member for Shef stituents, that there was no difficulty in crowding the Hall, and field (Mr. Ward) ie I recent address to his constit n uents, ten bewildering men's minds with a torrent of words—that they terieg ably and largely into the . e state of something of might be easily seduced into any proposition, and that a vote has opened what might be cons i der e d s. tnver + few ! acetate so carried did not express the real opinion of the Borough. secret. lie has told us what was .. nh ion without That might be again said. On the other hand, I am not had never heard of it, but itshows e w r i e m f t may go i ng de tw en ty hours in prepared to yield to that portion of my political oppo- our knowledge—he says there ha limits, who would be delighted with the opportunity in this country when we were no leader in the House of incurring expense and putting my friends to anxious ex- of Commons.—(La ughter.) I am sure your slumbers ertion.—( Hear, hear.) I shall therefore, according to my pre. were not less soun d, nor securityperfect.—( Hear, u the course I tell le" ee sent impression, call on those gentlemen who recorded theif hear, and a laugh.) B ut I_ w ill Session. There was votes for me at the last election, to express their opinion, and took at the commencement of t he if there shall be a majority of but one, calling on me to resign a meeting o f two hundred Reformers of all shades ventured my scat, there shall not elapse twerity-four hours after the re- and degrees of political opinion, and I to say ccipt of such communication, before I comply With the request, to them—" Now, Gentlemen, we have in our hands the —( Cries of " Bravo, bravo.") I have hinted to you that I Government of this country—the weakness of the Go am not quite decided in the event of accepting the emolu- iefnment is the strength of the Reformers, Let us lay ments of the office and placing the representation once more aside every eitreme view—do not let us hamper the Govern in your hands, whether I shall again become a candidate, be- ment with impraetieable theories, and wild and philosophical cause that will dcp-nd on coming circumstances. If the next speculations, but let us lay before them one or two substantial Session of Parliament is to be in all things like that gone by, and important measures, the countenance of which by the I candidly confess Parliament has no charms for me.—( Laugh- Government shall be the condition of our support," I argued ter.) I have no wish to go into that House night atter that as well as I could. I asked them to form themselves into night, finding myself expected to support measures from a third party, and to bring forward in the House of Commons, which I more or less dissent, or to retire from the House night after night, a series of well considered measures of Re rather than vote for measures which I cannot con- form in the Law, in the Church. in our Finances, scientiously supped ; or occasionally thinking that the and in our various domestic and political relations—for them to justice of the case Is with the opponents of the Government, he urged with the best ability we could command, and to say and therefore inclined to vote with them, and yet fearing to to the country, these are our views—these are our measures— do so, because unless I have an opportunity of explaining my —think you ofthem, and judge of them. " You will soon find," views, and the grounds of my so doing, I invite a torrent of I said, "an intelligent community, capable of appreciating them, invective in supporting opposition, arid am baptised with and there will be this general sentiment throughout the country the unmeaning nickname of a Tory- Radical.—(L aug ht er , ) —that these are the men, these are the measures we approve of. " So that what between the contention of factions and the diffi- And to show yo u t:set I was not idle in that suggestion, I culty of being usefully heard in that howling waste—( Renewed gave notice on the first ni . g. ht of the Session that I should, on laughter) —I feel indifferent to a seat in the House altogether. an early day, move for leave to Wring in a Bill to reform the At the same time I cannot believe that the next session is to Reform Act. That Bill I had prep/;•7cd with considerable be a repeti t i on o f t h e past. A t t h e present moment t h e pu bli c l a b our. I t em b raced three o bj ects —an ex : . ended Suffrage, mind is great l y ag i tated w i t h con fli ct i ng op i n i ons put f orwar d w hi c h s h ou l d i nclude every man who h a d a p ern :.mient resi by different leaders, and instead of our relations being quiet, dence of one year—( Hear, hear)—Triennial Parliamensf; no and persons pursuing their various and useful occupations, shorter and no longer—that they should last for three undisturbed by politics, such as was wont to be the case when years—that there should be security given to the Parliament was prorogued, one would fancy that the frame- voter against the effects of intimidation and bribery, work of society was about to be dissolved, that our whether to be carried out by the Ballot or any other contriv political institutions were in danger, and that all things were ance. That was my Bill.--( Cheers.) I said " Let us bring crumbling around us.—( Hear, hear.) We have had within that forward, the country will understand it." " That may the last fortnight four different schemes of political conduct be all very well," they said, " but Mr. Grote has given no ushered to our notice. First, there is my Lord Ehrington, time of his motion for the Ballot—let us concentrate all our whom I c ons id er to be one of the purest of the aristocratic power on that our darling measure." I gave my reasons why order, desirous of doing well, but perplexed in what it I thought it was not wise to individualise our plans—that if we consists ; he, at a county meeting, implored the people were to have a Reform Bill, it should be cemprehensive— to be patient, and forbear, urging upon their atten- that we should not have the Ballot one Parliament, tion the di ffi culties of the Government, and hoping for Triennial Parliaments another, and Extended Suffr a ge improved ti mes . I dou b t not his Lordship's sincerity, but Ido another, so that at least there would he three times seven years his wisdom. So long as the present Government were the ser- before there would beany chance of realising the whole.—( Hear, tants of the late King, they were constantly reminding the hear.) These objects are all valuable if they are connected eager advo ca t es o f reform that they were surrounded with dif- —there is much to be said against either individually, ficulties—that there was an adverse Court—a hostile Aristo- nothing against them unitedly. 'I heir answer was " There cracy—that they were beset at every step by spies and con- may be a great deal in what you say, but let us rally round cealed enemies, and insinuating, rather than stating, that if the Ballot." I said "So we will—l will vote for the we had only patience to wait for that event which nature would Ballot, but will you pledge yourselves to one thing—that, eventually, arid at no distant time, bring to pass (and which has if the Government are unfavourable to the proposition, been brought to pass), that then all those difficulties which so you will then meet in this room, and concert the best means beset them would vanish, that they would be cherished by a by which we can carry out our plans, and meet the just ex friendly Court—sustained by a monarch with a mind early pectations of the country ?" They all said "We will." The ernbuea with a love of freedom and constitutional sentiments great day came. Mr. Grote made one of his masterly speeches. —attached to the party who would form her Cabinet—that all There was a division, as you all know, and the motion was the various an d comp li cate d difficulties with which they were lost. Well, we seemed all to be exhausted by the effort—our surrounded would vani s h, and th a t then would be the halcyon faculties were melted; and, like a man who had set off with an hour when they would bring forward a series of well-digested impetus he could not control, arrived at his journey's end and statesman-like plans, which wou ld reco m me n d themselv es before he could stop, and found himself in the gulf below to all considerate minds.—( Hear.) For th a t time we waited —(Hear, hear.)—such was the beginning and the end of with singular forbearance ; the time came ; there was a diss our labours I From that moment we could not get half-a solution of Parliament; the Queen's name was not withheld, dozen together, and when we had thus separated, the Govern and a'l useful appliances were resorted to at the elections. But ment took advantage of it, and played their cards accordingly. unhappily the spirit of the people was damped, and the cause of —( Hear.) Gentlemen, I here drop the curtain on the melan reform received a shock from its authors by sinister ineinuas choly story. I did my duty in opposing their rash and inex tions, and by demi-official suggestions, that reform was no pedient measures ; and if they are again suggested I shall longer an article its the creed of the Queen's Cabinet. pursue the same course.—(Cheers.) But I would fain hope Furthermore, when the House assembled, the leader of the that Government would not do so. If they do they ought not House of Commons promptly declared that be ivoold take his to continue a Government.—( Hear, hear.) Their great stand upon the Reform Bill, as it was, allowing no infusion error is, that they constantly attempt to conciliate their of improvement. From that hour the hopes of the people foes, and to sacrifice their friends.—(Cheers.) At the were dashed to the ground, and they have been writhing ever present moment their warmest adherents can't tell what they since under the fatal blow.—(Cheers.) But, Gentlemen, are at. There is no one measure based upon principle. They as I have have had many occasions to speak (and I have done have thrown the anchor of principle overboard—they have so without reserve) in the House of Comnaons of the Govern- taken to the crazy bark of expediency, and it is a bark in merit and their measures, so I shall not do, what I think some which they must be swamped, if they long continue in it.— ' politi c i ans are no w doing in an ungracious spirit, speak severely ( Cheers.) Night after night do the Tories gain upon them, of th e Government, to the excl us i on o f a ll ot h er considers- while the country is subsiding into indifference or contempt tions. I spoke of the Government as I th oug h t o f them—l o f t h e Queen's Government.—( Hear, a n d che ers .) What they denounced and voted against their measures; but I now should do is this. They should bring forward, not one, but a find men who supported the Government—who said series of intelligible measures, expounded ably at the corn nothing a gainst the Government—who gave them all sorts mencement of the Session—risking their political existence of countenance, making speeches in manufacturing districts on their success—making them intelligible to the country— and in Ireland, as if .p l the nd Government , was the worst in sending them up to th e H ouse of Lords-_besieging ,d thus pretensions that ev er t he no in its moral and mental House of Lords with holiest measures , a etc form, in its ruledprinciples, s a this country.—( Hear.) I like factious objects of that H ouse .--(Loud cheers.) Hu t he tw e con s i s tency in public m I en. would t, ( Hear, hear.) And, Gentlemen, cannot comprehend the Govern ment . They seem to say to in speaking of others , not confine my remarks even the Lords we shall be satisfied with - give h any - thing you to Members of Parliament T he constituent bodies throughout us. Give us only th e pre am bl e o f a Bil l, we care no the country are much . to blame. If they had followed the thing about the clauses—we only look for the title.—(Laugh splendid example of the boroug h of Southwark, in returni ng ter .) J us t see h ow th e y ac t e d on t h e I r i s h Ti t h e Bi ll ; and I their Members without any expense, without a canvass, with- h ave a r i g ht t o a llude to th a t, b ecause , reco ll ect h ow I was bout ' a committee-room, without a treated by some persons in this Borough on that subject.— out the issue of a card, wit ' e of those em blems that seduce men from ( Hear.) Did I not denounce the appropriation clause as a ,g, with out on subject.— flag, )if th e various constituencies, I delusionnot ' itself, but • say, only as worthless in as an their reason—(Cheers -- example, will any man tell me—deft- insult to Ireland and the country__( Hear, hear, heara_ had followed this pro ud is—defectiveits ' ' ' cient as the Reform Bill .. as working is, and and the time at length came when Ministers abandoned rger Reform is to its full usefulness —that the the clause—and they have abandoned it wisely. But what have indispensable as ale . the b a d power in House of Commons at the they substituted? If instead of giving 25per ce nt. to thernsclves Tories would have to thatof present moment only subordinate It the Government? (for one half of the Cabinet are Irish landlords)—( Hear, Quite the the re verse.—(Ch eers.) may be all very well hear)—they had said, we purpose to appropriate this 2 8 per corruption and i nt i m id at i on, and to hear men say cent to the of to seeak of guarded their virtue well, if they could they would have . moral advancement—to the diminution of that fright veil of secresy. I doubt b bare shrouded it it the Las. ful sum of misery that now stalks that country, the propo- Id with some three or four boroughs in- siti a m acquainte d on would have been hailed with delight by all right-minded with the b orou g h o f m acquainte d timately. I a i have my experience there._ Col- men. It would have been far better for such a measure to have chaster well-ww bou g ht ea-- been rejected by the Lords half dozen t . •standing I know the boroug h of M a ld en --I know Sud- as (Cheers-) Government would have done on the immutable principles know Ipswich, and I observe there were dole_ of justic e, than bury—and I Colchester and Ipswich the other day to the they did. __ (Cheers.) sent from Palace-yard, and Ido say it is entirely owing And what have they gained by great meeting in t heir l present measure ? Are they not ridiculed in u tion of the Alecto rs of those places that to the political corrtep_ as they ( Hear, hear.) The Ir eland ? Are they not laughed at even by their warmest they are represen d supporters ? And do we not find Mr. O'Connell, who and their numbers are sufficieetlY possess the power, gave his countenance to the measure, villifying the measure elect whom they P • lease With the Y large, to exception itself, its authors, and its a Gentlemen , th e of of the places I have mentioned ca taloguesupporters . of Sudbury, 01 of our political miseries is so large that, it is exceeding one thousand, and I have a constituency scarcely possible to name, still less to dwell upon them, and en are corrupt there is no reason fo say if a thousan r as I have heard from my friends right and left, that this is a thousand who are excluded from the meeting believing the one H . partly social, and at all events restricted to p arochial ---( ear, hear.) Let not the consti franchise are honest G tu- though important objects, I feel I sho uld be . blame on the overnment. The Go trespassing on encies lay all the vern- the indulgence that has b and a great deal b een largely extended to me, ment have enough to ear, N But the h more than they were I to go further.--( Cries of "No no, " and "Go answerfor.—( Laughter.,ey have a right to say on.") Gentlemen, my chief object ' i can ; ,If you want us to carry great to the constituenc ies , ' "( Ch great men- you of that, which I believe those who knew me required strength to do so. Cheers.) ) But, G sures, give us the - no assursuce of, that I am still the 9:171C.-( Cheers.) the rest t ' • tlemen, I consider that one o f g the political calami- Listen to no idle whispers—listen not to those who delight tics with which this country, at present moment, in clouding the career of a man whose firmness they cannot has to contend—and I cannot but think that the Govern.. imitate, and whom, therefore, they attempt by every means to ment keenly feel its force—is in the division of the Libe- destroy ; but do lot a long and consistent life, in which saeri rat party in the House of Commons into national sections. flees of no ordinary kind have been many and fearful, be the eon- Hear hear, hear.) I have read the D err y nane decree, stunt passport to your k idly feelings ; and be assured that, hich has lately been sent forth, and I have read with great under all circumstances and all times—however poor I may regret the denunciations it breathes against the Radicals gene- be—that while lam supported by your countenance and my rally of England, and of all participation in their objects own consciousness of meaning well, I shall be surpassing rich. and all co-operation with then a.—( Hear, hear, hear.) We (The Hon. Gentleman resumed his seat amid loud and long. cannot afford to be thus split into sections. It may be continued cheering.) all very well for Mr. O'Connell and his party to say they carry Mr. Ileevnr, again rising, said—l sat down without con this measure and that measure, and if it had not been f o r their c h i di ng with t h a t w hi c h w as by far the most agreeable part of party where would have been the Reform Bill, and where m y d u ty, namely, of proposing a toast in the list of our would they have been on every occasion where the division did worthy Chairman, and that toast is, " The independent eke not exceed their admitted numbers. That might he said of any tors of the Borough of Southwark." I c annot su b m i t this confederacy. If all th e M etropo li tan M em b ers were to j o i n toast to you without observing that I believe the absence of and carry any measure by a majority of 18, might they not my lion. Colleague, Mr. Humpliery, from this meeting, taunt the Irish Members and say " Where would you have been arises from circumstances over which he has no controul. but for the majority of 18."—( Cheers.) I own the versatility Great allowances must be made for public men. He has. with which my friend Mr. O'Connell adapts himself to e very like myself, for many months been attending to his p ublic change, leads me to hope he will not be very tenacious of d uty , an d w hi c h lie did wish great a ss id u i ty. I am boun d to his new resolve ; but if he persevere in it, then I see the tell you that Mr. Humphery has upon all occasions attended foundation of a schism, the effects of which can scarcely be to his public duties with great roginarity ; and under th ese eir estimated in the coming Session. It is only by doubted, cumstances it is but fair to suppose that he ' think an undoubted, may he has cordial, and sincere co-o • ofthe friendsof Reform in some claim upon the consideration of his s constituents, peration every class, county, and portion of the empire, that we can at a period allowed to repose, lie remains %anti his family at hope to carry any great measure. (Cheers. ) When Mr. Bri g hton t o enjoy the comforts that spr i ng f rom such an as so- O'Connell . talks of justice for Ireland, and denounces the cietion.—( Hear.) I should be sorry that any distinction of people of England as being indisposed to grant justice to Ire- feeling, p , litically, should be made between Mr. liumpher • land, lam for extending that t er m an d c l a iming ~ j ust i ce an d myself. I can say he attends with great regularit Y for Great Britaie and Ireland."—(Cheers.) It would be no and, I think, always ; g•ves a conscientious vote. Ulm is at ar y ; difficult matter, if a Person were so disposed, to unfurl a time wrong, it must be attributed to that nhich we arc a ' ll banner inscribed " Justice to Ecgiand"—yea, that jus- subject to, defie:eley of judgment.—( Hear, hear. ) I beg, in rice which you have awar d e d to Ireland—to show conclusion, to gi ve you " The independent elect ors of the that Ireland Possesses advantages unenjoyed by England. borou g h of Southwark." I will point out one or two. Ireland has no church- Mr. A` . DERSON beg ge d l eave to propose a toast. One of rate. She had a c h urc h cess which i s anot h er w ord for church- the gratiying feelings connected with that meeting was, that rate, but she has got rid of her church cess. We are all labour- there was a sympathy on the part of other parishes in the oh ing in England under our church-rate.—( Boar, bear.) We have ject which had drawn them member. Deputies from Lam assessed taxes—lreland has not one.—( Hear, hear.) W e beth, Newington, St. Saviour's, City of London Union, . rid have tithes averaging five shilli ngs a n a cre—lreland has a tithe other parishes were present, and he begged to propose their less than one shilling an acre.—( Hear, beer. ) Do I health!. mean by this to sly that I would re-enact the church cots in Mr. GRADY, from the parish of Lambeth, returned thanks Ireland, that I would increase the tithes from one shilling to on the part of the delegates its a very able speech, in the five shillings in Ireland, or that I would impose on that country course of which he adverted to the gratifying fact, that all the assessed taxes? N o , b ut I ment i on i t f or t h e pur p ose of showing offices in the p ar i s h of Lainheth were filled by Reformers. that if men o nce st on er t h emselves to b e severe d i n to parties, He h oped that all other parishes in th e me t reeo n s wou ld imitate and take exclusive objects for their guide, that the enemy of the example set to them in this respect by Lambeth ; and be ail will step in, and that between the factious we shall further hoped that no inertness out the part of the parishioners be made the victims and the dupes.—( Cheers. ) Gen- of that parish would a ll ow t h e Tory party again to creep tlemen, government i s no mystery. - There i s no di ffi culty into th ose o ffi ces from which they had been so successfully in governing this country. The people understand what good excluded.—( Cheers. ) government means, and they are well disposed to acquiesce in Mr. HARVE: next proposed the health of the Chairman, who had so ably performed the duties of his office. The Hon. Gentleman with his usual felicity, adverted to the Chairman's position in the parish (being an overseer), and to the pride it must be to him, as an honest citizen, to be Prime Minister of it.—(Applause and a laugh.) The toast was drank with mark; of respect. The CHAIRMAN having returned thanks, and several other toasts having been drunk, the company separated, highly gratified at the proceedings of the evening. RADICAL DEMONSTRATION IN SHEFFIELD. (From the Second Erition of the Sheffield Iris.) C6eHie!d, though late in the field, has not been least in her demanu . for justice. The men of ,Hallamshre have nobly proved that t,' "V know their rights, and are determined to have them granted. • O r s account of the heavy state of the roads, the gentlemen from birmingham did not arrive so soon as was expected, which delayed ,'he commencement of the proceed isgs for nearly two hours. The best feeling and the utmost good nature, however, pei vad,-el all classes, and with the arri vals of the bands of music and the !tags, the assemblage crowded together in front of the hustings. There could not be 1.. wer than 20,000 persons present in the Slid of meeting, more than eleven-twelfths of whom were working-,men, and unrepresen ted. This afforded a triumphant argumen.f against the Whi gs and Tories, who have prophesied that the .Sheffield Demon stration would be a failure. Among those est the hustings we observed Willoughby Wood, Esq., of Ca mpsall Hall, t h e deputation from Birmingham, consisting of Messrs. Ed monds:, Salt, and Pearce; Mr. Richardson, from Manchester, and differeet members of the Working Men's Association. We would just add, that the procession was received wia.h en thusiastic cheers throughout the whole route. Mr. EBENEZER ELLIOTT having been voted to the Chair, said,—Fellow Townsmen and Neighbours, your character in London stands high. Don't forfeit that high character. Not only keep the peace yourselves, but prevent others from break ing it ; and, as it is your wish to obtain your rights Yry legal and peaceful means, I trust you will discourage every speaker who advises violent measures; for every such speaker brings to your aid one man in a thousand, and deprives you of the aid of the remaining 90. It is proposed that our proceed ings shall commence with a hymn, which I will recite stanza by stanza, and which yeti will sing, accompanied by the band, to the tune of the Old Hundredtii Psalm : Got of the Poor! shall labour eat? Or drones alone find labour sweet ? Lo, they who call thy earth their own, Take all we have—and give a stone I Yet bring not Thou on them the doom That scourged the proud of wretched Rome, Who stole, for few, the lands of all, To make all life a funeral. Lord ! not for vengeance rave the wrong'd, The hopes deferr'd ; the woes proloeg'd ; Our cause is just, our Judge divine; But judgment, God of all, is thine 1 Yet not in vain thy children call On Thee, if Thou art Lord of all ; And by thy work, and by thy word, Hark ! millions cry for justice, Lord 1 For leave to toil, and not in vain— For honest labour's needful gain; A 1 1 ;:le rest, a little corn, For weaiv man, to trouble born For labour, l'Ond for all, their own ; Our right to trod's, from zone to zone, To make all laws for es and ours, And curb the will of evi; Powers. [From the solemnity of the tune, in ,: the spirit-sti rr i ng nature of the words, the above had a very strils:ng effect, being cordially j o i ne d i n by th e i mmense mu l t it u d e .l Mr. E BENEZER E LLIOTT th en sa id—F e ll ow townsmen and neighbours 1 Where are the respectable of Shefb:id? If they love the people, why are they not here?—(Cheers. If they can send Missions to the Hindoos, and agitate for blat:.k slaves, who are better treated than you are, and with their telescopic eyes see the suffering Caffre in Africa, surely they might perceive your miseries at their very doors. Where is Bade>, your Benth am ? Wh ere i s L u k e, your G ospe l? an d where is that great patriot, who refused to call a meeting against , the Iri s h C oerc i on Bill — Th ey are all a b sent I C, he?rs. ) Never mind. You are present. And though your old friends have deserted you, good men have come from A distance to help you. Here is Edmonds, grown grey in fight ing the battles of th e wor ki ng men. A n d here i s Salt, whose patriotism is Christian kindness. And here is Willoughby Wood, whose philosophy sees religion in human happiness. But what am I to say now? I have no newspapers to quote. Oh, that mine enemy would write another book ! for it won't do now, and shan't do, to sing the old song of the Corn laws, which you have laughed at for more than twenty years. "Oh !" you said, "it is only the mad poet I" I would rather be mad, than see you lost your trade ; I would rather die in a workhouse than see you without wages; for there would be sorrow in heaven, if your wives, by thou sands, were clamming in the streets, and your children, by tens of thousands, clamming with them.—(Cheers.) But after having been mocked for years on the subject of the Corn-laws, and told by Corn-law Russell that the robbery shall be eternal, it is too bad, and too late to throw the Corn laws as dust in our eyes. Then, let me say, that the strongest argument in favour of Universal Suffrage, is furnished by the facts, that the authors of those laws exercise the whole power of the British Government, and the King, or Queen, for the time being, is only their signing clerk. It is doubtful whether they ever originated one useful idea; it is certain that they never added a penny to the public stock, but that, on the contrary, they have been enriched by the progress of com merce, without contributing in any way to that progress ; it is on eternal record, that they have devoured or destroyed due. ing the last fifty years, in wars on liberty, and by their food monopoly, mo re th an fi ve th ousan d m illi ons ster li ng — say twice as much as all the estates arc worth ; and no man in his communityms e o ri r se o s w , doubtsthe ycould would lo h du a i t bde t shotenyi only b are e spare—forot missed s a s l e l idf m at e sh n ea tyh nuisance wereverya n e all men es missing sswhi whomnegn r the to: moved.--( Ch eers. ) Y et they talk as if they were the land that God made, did as if they were God himself, and not the men who hav e converte d the land into a curse for all. _( bear, hear.) God showers blessings on you, which they convert into pl agues ; an d you doff your ' bats to them, forgetting yourselves, and that is saying, vou forget God, who wastes nothing, and will not furnish yoga with opportunities if you throw them away. What hope, then, have you, but in yourselves? Will your enemies help you ? From the time of the first murderer they have been what they are. They poisoned Socrates—they crucified Jesus —and would they help you ? No, no, you must help your selves.—( Loud cheering. ) Mr. BEAL, in moving the first resolution, said—Men of Hallamshire 1 These are the times for testing the principles of men. This is the first great effort of the toiling millions to break down the strongholds of oppression and secure to themselves the rights and privileges of freemen. " 'Tis liberty alone," says Cowper, " that gives the flower of fleeting life its lustre and its perfume, and we are weeds without it." The Government of this country has hitherto been chosen by the property classes out of the aristocracy, who have held the reins of power in defiance and contempt of the nation at larger—( Hear. ) The Corn-law abomination was enacted for the purpose, and has been the means, of sheltering the landed aristocracy from all taxation ; and you are aware it has succeeded to their hearts' content.—( Cheers.) Our only remedy is the Exten sion of the Suffrage to all classes. But it is said our igno rance would lead us to choose improper persons for law makers. Are we not as capable of choosing eSir law-makers as our doctors or lawyers ? We know more about right and wrong than we do of physiology, pathology, or the theory and practice of medicine, or the Statutes at large. The fact is, Sir, they know if we had political power we should put a lock on the till; we should button up our pockets. Let the rich pull the mote out of their own eye before they begin to pick at the beam in ours. Let them reform the Waldegraves, the Dc Rooses, and the Waterfords. The speaker concluded by moving the adoption of the first resolution—viz., " That the sources of tke na tional prosperity are failing—that our legislators, in coese. quence of their selfishness, their ignorance, and their covert bankruptcies, are unwilling, and our electors, in consequence of their small numbers and dependent condition, are unable to help us—therefore it is neeessrry that the Universal People obtain the power of voting in the election of Members to serve in Parliament." Mr. ISAAC IRONSIDE come forward to second the reso lution which has been moved by Mr. Beal, whom I am proud to call my friend—who is in himself a triumphant refutation of the calumny that the working classes are destitute of Intel ligence. Give us the People's Charter, or at all events Uni versal Suffrage, and we will soon elect a Parliament that will control the destinies of this great empire, in such a manner that the people shall have aft abundent supply of food. Uni versal Suffrage is not a mere bauble with us ; it is the means to an end—the lever of Archimedes. I bate mystery of all kinds, and therefore these are some of my ulterior views in supporting Universal Suffrage. The abolition of the Corny late s—( Loud cheering)—the establishment of a thoroughly fficient system of National Education, of which good diet should be the foundation : the severance of the Church f - em the State, and the appropriation of the wealth of the Church to the use for which it was originally inten ded, namely a great portion of it to feed the poor: the abo lit ion t 0 . of all Private and Joint Stock Banks *and the establisbme.nniour a National one : and last, though not least, but in TY__°_,P2n i t , the most important, although we are not 211 agretedo.vcr:o;,e_ afforling the greitest facilities to the estahlishmetti t r.tive communities. Will these measures bencStiteeh,e country ? humanity, —( Yes. yes, from the crowd.) Reason, a nd whilst it answer Yes. Our present Parlisment S:lys.A ~v by ? exists, not one of them will be d .carricc,f ignorat:ce, cau se "our l eg i s l a t ors , i n consequence , What, selfishness, or covert bankruptcy,hea then, must be done? Why men who distribute them. In conclusion, Universal People who pay the taxes, must elect :nthe t you a little advice. Be clean and temperate i allow me t o g ive habits; by this means you will add ) much to your li!ipp; i u ss r and comfort ; you will become more thoughtful and inquirin g, g and consequently better acquai n t e d w ith your social and political condition. You will then be far more p ow erful than mere numbers can ever make you. Brute twee may be overpoe e• - ed—mind cannot. 1 beg most heartily, to second the resolution.—( Loud cheering.) Mr. SALT, of Birmingham, commenced by sating that sometimes when he . saw the pov er ty an d m i sery of the labour ing classes his spi rit drooped, because be thought their case was hopeless, but that at any rate their success was far re mote. But when he saw such meetings as this, when such a portion of the population were standing true to their order, his spirit felt refreshed, and he was bound to exclaim—the cause of the people shall not perish.—( Cheers.) The men ;his Alf ego Ity 14 log Etna eig° arts; ei go or ;cot rival f, at El" an" OA cing► frool 1 ! i' L [359.' itt , Of the i r 001 3 ant' hos e rcisY ,- Ear l 1 and flit - Mr , sissy fh Y his 10'9' the ~,,iOO id for tbere 3rg e r t he icre t he t he t he , ) fr, short tO r' ; the (1S• f ings ~,rc, :on-